This event encourages everyone to dispose of unused, expired, or unwanted prescription medications.
Dane County – Safe Communities and the African American Opioid Coalition, in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations, invite the public to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 25. Safely turn in expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs at 22 collection sites around Dane County on Saturday, and 1 earlier in the week.
Prescription drug misuse is a growing concern across the nation, with severe implications for public health and safety. Leftover and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can be found in every household in the county. Studies indicate that most misused prescription drugs come from family and friends, so safely disposing of unused medicine is essential. According to the NIH more than half of people who first use prescription medications in ways not prescribed get them from someone they know. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), nearly 45.8% of American Adults used a prescription drug in the last 30 days and nearly 16 million Americans use prescription drugs in ways not prescribed each year. Unused or expired medicine should never be flushed or poured down the drain. Water reclamation facilities are not designed to remove all of them, and trace amounts of pharmaceuticals are showing up in our rivers and lakes.
To address these concerns, Safe Communities is hosting three drop-off sites on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in Madison:
- Elver Park – 1250 Mckenna Blvd Madison, WI 53719
- Warner Park – 2930 N Sherman Ave, Madison, WI 53704
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church – 2019 Fisher St, Madison, WI 53713
These locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 25, 2026, providing a safe way for individuals to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. Law Enforcement officers and volunteers will be on hand to collect and securely transport the medications for proper disposal.
To ensure the success of Drug Take Back Day, the Wisconsin Department of Justice relies on assistance from the DEA, and the generous support of Fuchs Trucking, Covanta Energy, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana State Police, Waukesha County, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, and all participating local law enforcement agencies.
Safe Communities encourages all community members to take advantage of this opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and contribute to the prevention of incorrect prescription drug use. By participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, you can help protect our environment and keep medications out of the wrong hands.
GUIDELINES:
All prescriptions must be from a household – no businesses are allowed.
Bring: Prescription (controlled and non-controlled) and over-the-counter medications, ointments, patches, inhalers, non-aerosol sprays, creams, vials, and pet medications. Sharps will also be accepted.
Do Not Bring: Illegal drugs, acids, aerosol cans, bio-hazardous materials (anything containing a bodily fluid or blood), personal care products (shampoo, soaps, lotions, sunscreen), household hazardous waste (paint, pesticides, oil, gas), mercury thermometers.
Participants may dispose of solid, non-liquid medication(s) by removing the medication from its container and disposing of it directly into a disposal box or in a clear sealable plastic bag. Plastic pill containers should not be collected. Blister packages without the medications being removed are acceptable.
Liquids will be accepted during this initiative. However, the liquids, creams, and sprays must be in their original packaging. Liquids without the original packaging will not be accepted.
Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative and should not be placed in collection containers.
For more information about National Prescription Drug Take Back Day or other Meddrop Boxes located around Dane County please visit safecommunities.org, or contact Jim Wheeler at jwheeler@safecommunities.org.
Other National Prescription Drug Take Back Sites in Dane County
Please review the operation times of your local locations.
Belleville PD: Lobby Drop Box 8am-8pm
Cottage Grove PD: 10am-2pm
Cross Plains PD: 10am-2pm
Deerfield PD: 10am-2pm
Deforest PD: 10am-2pm
Fitchburg PD: 8am-12pm
Marshall PD: 8am-1pm
Mazomanie PD: Lobby Drop Box 10am-2pm
McFarland PD: Lobby Drop Box 10am-2pm
Forward Pharmacy (Monona): 9am-1pm
Mt Horeb PD: Lobby Drop Box 9am-12pm
Shorewood PD: 10am-2pm
Stoughton Fire Dept: 9-11am
Sun Prairie PD: 9-11am
Verona PD: 8am-12pm
Oakwood Village University Woods: 1-4pm
Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge: 1-4pm
Attic Angel Community (Old Sauk Rd): 12-2pm
Public Safety Building & City County Building: 10am-2pm
Not on 4/25:
Blue Mounds PD: Lobby Drop Box Mon-Thurs
For day of event media/interview inquiries, please reach out to Jim Wheeler at jwheeler@safecommunities.org or 608-334-5586.
About Safe Communities:
Safe Communities is an injury prevention non-profit coalition that fosters safety and wellness for our community. We care about the health, well-being, and safety of all people in our community. By engaging a coalition of advocates, including those with lived experiences, we empathetically provide support and resources to vulnerable populations. We are saving lives together by confronting our community’s top safety concerns – Older adult falls, traffic crashes, suicide & drug harm, through innovative programs.
